12023-07-17T20:05:04+00:00Rosie Abraham2a093479b34581dd3e51723cbd505a74ce038215Monkeys and Cacao in ArtGeorgia Sharwarko7plain2023-07-20T20:25:06+00:00Georgia Sharwarko7ad933ef3a80b90340d55cd58ab43bf23996b85e
12023-07-17T20:27:37+00:00Rosie Abraham2a093479b34581dd3e51723cbd505a74ce038215Indigenous Representations of Cacao from the AmericasGeorgia Sharwarko11plain2023-07-20T20:37:48+00:00Georgia Sharwarko7ad933ef3a80b90340d55cd58ab43bf23996b85e
This page has tags:
1media/monkeycacao_thumb.jpg2023-07-17T18:34:40+00:00Rosie Abraham2a093479b34581dd3e51723cbd505a74ce038215Clay whistle of monkey holding a cacao podRosie Abraham3plain2023-07-18T19:38:35+00:00600-900UnknownMesoamerica, current day HondurasOpen accessRosie Abraham2a093479b34581dd3e51723cbd505a74ce038215
This page is referenced by:
12023-07-17T20:27:37+00:00Indigenous Representations of Cacao from the Americas11plain2023-07-20T20:37:48+00:00Indigenous cultures have very positive views on cacao. There are many illustrations of cacao being harvested, ground, cooked, and drunk. From monkeys spreading cacao seeds to chocolate drinking at ceremonies, cacao is often represented in Mesoamerican art.
12023-07-19T17:03:46+00:00Religious, Spiritual, or Ceremonial Representations of Chocolate9plain2023-07-20T20:32:45+00:00In many Mesoamerican cultures, chocolate was considered ceremonial and spiritual. Chocolate was used in place of blood, or mixed with blood, during sacrificial ceremonies, as well as used as a celebratory beverage in wedding ceremonies.
As colonizers experienced chocolate, they began to worship the sweet drink as well. This did not agree with the values of Spain, who felt strongly against Spaniards experimenting with sacred pieces of religion outside their own; They felt those who enjoy chocolate were turning their back on God.
12023-07-17T20:05:04+00:00Monkeys and Cacao in Art7plain2023-07-20T20:25:06+00:00Monkeys are a common theme in the Indigenous art of cacao. This is because monkeys in Mesoamerica spread cacao seeds. Indigenous cultures often drew images of monkeys holding cacao pods as they knew that they relied on the monkeys for this luxury.
However, the European representation of monkeys is to make fun of colonizers/Europeans who drink chocolate, equating them to monkeys, a theme that has racist undertones towards Native Americans.